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On Friday the much discussed documentary "Blackfish" will be released to the general public. SeaWorld this weekend took the opportunity to respond to some of the claims made within the film. The film's primary focus is on SeaWorld's most infamous killer whale, Tilikum. Tilikum has allegedly been involved in the deaths of three people. The most recent incident occurred in 2010 resulting in the death of Dawn Brancheau for which there is no doubt about his involvement. According to the NY Times, in an email SeaWorld sent to fifty film critics, they labeled the film as "shamefully dishonest, deliberately misleading and scientifically inaccurate." The company also challenges some insinuations or misconceptions allegedly made within the film. They first say that SeaWorld has not captured wild whales in 35 years and continued by refuting the claim that they did not adequately inform trainers of the dangers of working with Tilikum.

The filmmakers responded to the email by saying that SeaWorld refused to be filmed for the film itself. They also say that many of SeaWorld's claims are invalid because they insist that the film does not insinuate that they capture wild whales or use punishment-based training. They also contest that SeaWorld did give adequate warning about working with Tilikum to trainers.